India-Pakistan ODIs in England

India and Pakistan are likely to play two one-day internationals in England next year.

indiaUpdated: Mar 13, 2006 15:23 IST

Indo-Asian News Service None

India and Pakistan are likely to play at least two one-day internationals (ODIs) in England next year - a pleasant prospect not only for the cricket-crazy expatriates from the subcontinent but also for the English cricket board.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive David Collier said here that discussions were on with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to thrash out modalities for holding the matches in England, and possibly elsewhere in Europe.

"We are looking very positively. We believe that there is a very strong Indian and Pakistani community in the UK, and that it would be hugely beneficial (for them)," Collier told IANS in an interview Monday during the second India-England Test at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here.

"An India-Pakistan match in the UK is an exciting concept. So, we would definitely consider it (proposal) very, very seriously," he said.

It is learnt that India and Pakistan could also be playing ODIs in countries like Holland and Denmark where the expatriate population is very strong.

Collier, however, pointed out that a number of factors would need consideration before the matches are cleared for England.

"Issues like that of broadcasting - we will have to be very careful, and (see) how those rights would be operated because we do have a number of contracts for matches played in the UK," he pointed out.

"These issues are being explored and we will have further discussions with the BCCI on that," he said.

"Fortunately, like in India, England have a lot of world class venues, so that would not be an issue."

Collier said that India would tour England in 2007 for a full-fledged series.

"India will play three Tests and seven one-day internationals when they tour England in two years' time. Further to that, we will be looking at the tour cycle in the next two tours, which will be on a four-year basis," he said.

He also said that the ECB and the BCCI are exploring areas in which the junior teams could play more often with each other.

"We have agreed to bring the Indian under-19 to England, and that will be part of the expanding relationships between out two countries," he said.

"We (the Indian and England boards) will be working in close cooperation. We look forward to a relationship on a long time basis."